How to: Keep your laptop clean

Q. My laptop is a few years old now and it’s getting pretty grubby to be honest. The keys are dirty and the screen is covered in fingerprints. Is there any way I can safely and easily spring clean my laptop without damaging it?

A. The first thing you need to do is shut it down and unplug the power lead. It may be wise to remove the battery as well. To clean the chassis, a damp, but not wet cloth should be enough to remove most dirt and grime. For the keyboard, a soft paint brush is a good way to brush out dust and debris from between the keys. Again, a damp cloth can be used to remove dirt. The screen is a different matter. LCD screens are quite fragile, and you shouldn’t press on them. Dust can be removed with an anti-static cloth, but for finger prints, you will probably need a screen-cleaning fluid. Some can be sprayed on the screen, while others need to be sprayed onto a lint-free cloth, so make sure you read the instructions. For a full range of cleaning products, have a look at www.mrpcclean.co.uk.